Singing Cabby

On the way over to Makati yesterday to buy food, and for E to get sutures removed after 3 tooth extractions, I had a fun conversation with the cab driver. When he discovered I was from Massachusetts he broke into "Massachusetts" by the Bee Gees. He knew all the lyrics, but just in case you don't (I don't!), here they are. I guess it's time for a little karaoke, very popular here.......so sing away if you want. I won't hear it, alas, or yeah, depending!

"Feel I'm goin' back to Massachusetts.
Something's telling me I must go home.
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
The day I left her standing on her own.

Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco.
Gotta do the things I wanna do.
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
They brought me back to see my way with you.

Talk about the life in Massachusetts.
Speak about the people I have seen.
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts,
And Massachusetts is one place I have seen.

I will remember Massachusetts.
I will remember Massachusetts.
I will remember Massachusetts..."

Yesterday was my birthday, btw. Sorry, won't tell, but now it's only two years to Medicare, which you can't collect if you live out of the country. But for seventeen cent visits to the big state hospital, here, who needs to! HA.

We had four guests. I made Pan Seared Lapu-lapu with Mango Salsa, a recipe I found in dentists office magazine. I hadn't purchased fresh fish before (I know, shameful!). E had but I didn't deal with the heads, etc. I hate dealing with the heads, and watching them dress them (even though I used to dress cat fish in Kansas as a boy)! Well, the finished dish, , was a treat, even though the open market fish section is pretty gross for this former vegetarian!

E also made a great pancit (noodles with pork and vegetables), very standard dish here, along with white rice and a cooked vegetable mix of string beans (the long kind), tomatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, cabbage, soy sauce and Ginisa (packaged spice). He decorated the serving trays nicely and helped make it a festive occasion. Of course I had to buy a cake, which was scrumptious!

It was a first for me -- first time celebrating my birthday in another country. It didn't feel at all weird, and it was fun having guests.

No fabulous or funny stories today, sorry. But it was really cool having the cabby sing "Massachusetts" with such gusto. He used to sing in a band, and play guitar but now only sings for weddings, etc., or to himself in the cab, since he has no radio.

I've had such interesting conversations with cabbies! It's such a great opportunity to get to know Filipinos and sense what's important to them. I was telling E how, as a youngster, I used to be so embarrassed when Mom would talk to strangers! How funny--now I do the same! But it's such a great opportunity to to learn and to spread some cheer. So, cheers to you, and thanks for bothering to read my ramblings!

We're planning a 2-3 day trip north five hours into the mountains, where mountainside rice paddies are popular sight-seeing attractions. Since my camera is getting repaired, I'm hoping their "in 2 or 3 days" estimate holds. But I have to remember where I am, so! So I'll have new pictures and adventures to share next week, maybe.

Baguio is a busy town, not too big, in the mountains where lots of city people escape to in the hot summer months. Further on north is popular trekking country where there are lots of mummy caves, mountain views, and terraced hillsides. I don't think we'll do that! I can't trek these days and E doesn't want to see mummies. Fine with me! And another four or five hours on a bus isn't too exciting. Maybe some day.
Rod